Bill to curb misuse of industrial land

The changes are aimed at boosting industrial growth, which had suffered considerably because of the enormity of challenges associated with acquiring land.PORVORIM: The Goa Industrial Development (Amendment) Bill, 2015, was introduced in the Goa Legislative Assembly on Tuesday, seeking to curb misuse of industrial land by increasing penalty for offences of either carrying out construction or alteration to any building in an industrial estate.

Industries minister Mahadev Naik introduced the bill for any offence breaching terms under which land was permitted to be held under the Act.

The sub-section 1 and 2 of Section 33 of GIDC Act is proposed to be amended, seeking to hike fine on offenders from 10,000 to 1 lakh. If the violation continues, the fine imposed will be up to 5,000 for every day of the offence. While currently, the upper limit for continuing contravention is 500 a day.

The penalty imposed for using industrial area in violation of terms which allowed him to hold land under the Goa Industrial Development Act, has also been sought to be increased.

The proposed amended Bill provides to punish the guilty with fine extendable up to 50,000 instead of 5,000 as provided earlier.